About MCTV's Organization of the Month
Charitable behavior can lead to psychological, spiritual, and emotional well-being benefits for the giver. Besides helping the community and being a part of a greater good, charitable donations are tax deductible, can give you a sense of purpose and can help keep you informed about issues of social injustice. Each month, MCTV highlights two local non-profit organizations. We have donation boxes set up in our lobbies and have information on our websites about each charity, along with links to their respective websites. MCTV’s commitment to charitable causes creates new ways for you to find, learn about, and support local charities. We try to make a bigger difference in the causes you care about the most and become partners with the organizations in order to bring about change. Donate with confidence to these organizations. They are low-risk organizations, have targeted goals, function with good governance and have transparency policies. To learn more, visit our community involvement page.
People to People Ministries
People To People Ministries is an Emergency Needs Ministry, and is here to help those in need when there’s no place else to turn.
Last year, People To People Ministries (PTPM) provided assistance to over 10,000 Wayne County applicants. PTPM was established in 1978 by the Wayne County Ministerial Association, and a few caring community citizens, to help families facing emergencies. On average 1 out of 12 residents of Wayne County, Ohio, could need services. The families we see are often the single mother or the senior citizen, the unemployed or underemployed—they could be someone you know. Emergencies happen and lives can be changed – the loss of a job, a tragic accident, an illness of a family member – can cause a family to struggle.
People To People Ministries is proud of its fiscal stewardship and greatly appreciates its community support. We do not solicit government funds. Ninety-four cents out of every dollar donated goes to ministry. As we continue our efforts, we believe that in some small way, we contribute to improving the quality of life for those in need.
Services
- Food Pantry - We offer a 3 day supply of emergency groceries to eligible individuals and families.
- Personal Products - dish detergent, laundry soap, bar soap, toothbrushes and paste, toilet tissue, diapers, and other personal products are offered on an as needed and available basis.
- Clothing - Gently used clothing, such as coats, hats, gloves, uniforms, boots, shoes, and all other types of clothing are offered on an as needed and available basis.
- Household Items - Blankets, sheets, pillows, towels, drapes, and small kitchen items are also offered when available to those who are eligible.
- Financial Assistance – Financial assistance with past due rent or security deposits, utilities, prescription medications, and gasoline are offered on a case-by-case basis.
- Advocacy - Advocacy services are available for our clients with utility problems, housing concerns, budget issues, and any other needed support.
Special Projects
Every year People To People Ministries conducts three special projects, two of which are directed toward children in need.
Back to School Project: Held in August of each year, the Back to School Project attempts to outfit children for school, recognizing that doing so is very expensive for low-income families on a tight or non-existent budget. We provide each child with new shoes, new underwear, new socks, basic school supplies, and if possible, three outfits of good used clothing, including winter coats, if available. Each year approximately 850 children participated in this project, and they were assisted by close to 300 volunteers.
Thanksgiving Dinners: Families who need food assistance, and qualify for this project, receive a turkey with all the fixings for their Thanksgiving meal (one which they must cook themselves). In November we provide dinners to over 400 families, thanks to the many food drives held on the ministry’s behalf.
Christmas Toy Project: For families who qualify, the Toy Project allows low-income parents to choose a number of gifts (ranging from $30 in value to stocking stuffers) for each of their children. Our Christmas Toy Committee works year round refurbishing, repairing, and cleaning donated used toys and distributes those, with the many new toys the ministry receives. This project requires close to 400 volunteers to operate smoothly. Each December we provided toys for over 1,000 Wayne County children.
Our Mission
The Board Members and Administrative Officers of People To People Ministries believe that each person in our society has the need for adequate food, shelter, clothing, and basic health care.
We believe that in any society a number of individuals will experience crisis during their lifetime in which they are unable to obtain adequate food, shelter, emergency transportation, clothing, or basic health care.
We believe that each person, when unable to meet these needs, has the right to reach out to others for assistance to satisfy these basic needs.
The purpose of PTPM is to provide an immediate, realistic, and compassionate response to people with these basic needs when these needs are not being met through any other programs.
This program is a non-profit ministry supported through donations from churches, civic organizations, private individuals, and United Way.
Our History
In 1978 under the direction of the Wayne County Church Cabinet, People To People Ministries was founded and a Board of Trustees was elected. That same year, St. James Episcopal Church donated an office and PTPM began to actively provide financial assistance to those in need. Then in 1980, due to the tremendous need for services, the ministry relocated from St. James to our present location… a house provided by the First Presbyterian Church near the corner of Bowman St. and Beall Ave. In 1986 the ministry underwent the first major addition by adding a kitchen, food storage, and receiving area above a basement. Another addition was added in 1991 providing much-needed space in the basement for the Christmas toy program as well as expansion of the clothing department. The most recent building addition, in 2003, created a main entry and a waiting room for clients. It also allowed the ministry to provide privacy for clients while receiving assistance, by adding office space.
Hours of Service
Monday: 9 – 11:30 am and 1 – 4:30 pm
Tuesday: 9 am – 12 noon and 1 – 6 pm
Wednesday – Friday: 9 am – 12 noon and 1 – 4:30 pm
People to People Ministries
454 E Bowman St
Wooster, OH 44691
Phone: 330-262-1662
Website: www.ptpm.net
